Lucknow Declaration
by
Regional Convention
on
26th June, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
at
Ravindralaya, Lucknow, India
We, the Regional Convention at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in India, desiring that State embodies the aspirations of the People, aver the need for greater efforts for promoting the sovereignty of the People through democratic values and structures based on nonviolence and justice.
We uphold social democracy and economic equity through sustainable development.
We advocate optimum and equitable utilization of resources for the benefit of the people, providing them adequate forum to influence and participate in decisions on natural resource use and management.
We reaffirm the inalienable right of the People of India to basic needs including food, clothing, shelter, health, education, social security and productive work as dignity of labour.
Democracy
We cherish and uphold the Rule of Law, sovereignty of the people, a system of governance that ensures devolution of power, People's right to self rule and control over natural resources.
We advocate full independence of the judiciary, adhering to internationally recognized values and principles. People beneficial lawmaking process has to be participatory, representative and fully transparent.
We believe that People have sovereign rights to take decisions on matters concerning their lives, and urge periodic review of all international commitments and national laws to enable people to exercise sovereignty.
We maintain that governance improvements have to begin and end with the People and that their empowerment can result only when power is devolved through effective structural changes in character of Shraman Culture[i] based on justice, nonviolence and rule of law.
We also maintain that existing social, economic and political imbalances hinder nation-building and that the legislature, executive and the judiciary must be fully accountable to the People.
We uphold the information right to people through participation in decision-making and governance.
To organize a force in against and oppose the attempt of the Saffron brigade to saffronise the rainbow culture of the country. We strongly support the pluralism of our Nation and are determined not to allow anyone to destroy the pluralistic atmosphere of the country.
Fight State and non-state actors' suppression on the right to expression with democratic mindset to put them right.
Equal, Secular, Free Compulsory elementary education is the responsibility of the government and the gimmicks with education should be stopped.
Struggle to enact the anti- torture legislation and to ratify the UN convention against torture by India.
Discrimination
We affirm that discrimination based on gender, caste, creed, religion, ethnicity and disability is a major obstacle to meaningful participation of People in political, economic and social field.
We call for patriarchy-free secular India, and support the individual's right to self-determination and development and uphold their duty to national integration.
Demand laws and their enforcement in regard to bonded labour,child labor , sexual harassment, discrimination based on caste & gender and attack on minority.
We resolve for an immediate and effective end to untouchability, the worst form of discrimination and demand interventions as follows to take in politics:
· Programs for the uplift of the Dalits and mechanisms to empower them for defend their rights.
· Reservations(affirmative action), in public as well as the private sector, to ensure participation of all at all levels starting from primary schooling and across all spheres of life.
· Reservations to enable at least 33% representation of women in all spheres of private and public life.
· Discrimination to be considered a real life problem.
Review of existing laws and modifications to incorporate the implementation of international instruments.
· To implement the recommendation of report of Sachchar' Committee[ii] and Justice Rangnath Mishra[iii] on Muslim minority.
Food sovereignty
We believe the right to food is a fundamental right and must be assured through guarantees to equality in work, justice, uniform minimum wages and land reform.
We advocate that all aid and trade agreements and legal instruments be subject to public scrutiny to ensure their transparency and accountability.
Demand National law for landless agricultural laborers and domestic workers as skill workers.
Ensure purchase of weavers and farmers produce while the 'Public distribution System' prices should be brought at half of present process.
Provide homes to the homeless and provide shelter to the homeless in urban areas.
Organizing Organization: Dynamic Action Group (DAG), Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Voice of People (VOP), National Alliance on Testimonial Therapy (NATT), Right to food & work, Uttar Pradesh, Detention Watch
Co-operative organization: Sathi, Tarun Chetana. Gramya, Roji Roti Sangathan, Dalit Mahasangh. Disha Sanstha, Jagriti Seva Sansthan. Bundelkhand Seva Parishad, PUCL, Dr. Ambedkar Social Welfare Society, Sanchetana, Sikhar Prashikshan Sansthan, Dwaba Vikas Sansthan, Human Right Law Network, , C.E.R.T, Jan Adhikar Manch, Jan Sikhan Kendra, Gramya Swaraj Samiti, Kanhar Bachao Andolan, Mushar Vikas Manch. Gramin Yuwa evam Bal Vikas Parishad, Pani, INSAF- Uttar Pradesh, Swaraj Uthan Samiti, Institute of Social Development Trust, Sangram, Bahujan Kalyan Parishad, Astitwa, Roja, Manav VIkas Parishad, Aman – Uttar Pradesh, Sonbhadra Vikas Samiti, O.M India, Parmarth, Pahuch Vikas manch, Apada Niwaran Manch. Savitir Bai Phule Women's Forum, Rojgar Haq Abhiyan, Prerana Kala Manch, Anyay Ke Khilaf Morcha,Wada Foundation,UP Gramin Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Union,UP Sahari Garib Kamgar Sangharsh Morcha,Vigyan Foundation,Shahari Garib Morcha,Mahila federation,Dehat,Asian Bridge-India,Adiwasi Mahila Vikas samiti.
href="http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=WN4SfweS2CA.en.&am=!0sjC5tn1uey7Qv3hQuM-IhfROCzfbg6U_7o5jmZdlhJQcUqIotZUmsouwMXN&fri#_ednref1" name="_edn1">[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shramana#.C5.9Arama.E1.B9.87a_in_contemporary_Western_culture
Lucknow Declaration in Hindi
